Fisheries authorities are currently examining a video that depicts crew members aboard a large ship bragging about their substantial catch of Dungeness crabs during a stop in Vancouver. The footage, which has been circulating on social media, shows the sailors, who speak Mandarin, pulling up crab traps from the side of the massive commercial vessel. Their haul includes undersized and female crabs, which violate fishing regulations.
The video also captures the crew pulling up crab traps at night, another breach of regulations, as well as exceeding the possession limit of four crabs per person. Subtitles in the video mention the estimated weight of the crabs at 441 pounds and depict the crew expressing delight at the prospect of cooking and consuming the crabs onboard.
While the exact location of the vessel within Vancouver is not specified in the video, parts of the harbor are designated as no-crabbing zones. Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) has acknowledged the video and stated that they are treating the matter seriously. The Port of Vancouver has expressed its intention to assist in educating visiting sailors about local fishing regulations.
The video indicates that the crew fabricated some of the crab traps, pulling them up every 10 minutes and catching over 100 crabs in a two-hour window. The ship’s name is not disclosed in the video. The Port of Vancouver has pledged to support DFO in conducting a thorough investigation into the alleged activities.
Jason Voong, president of the B.C. Crab Fishermen’s Association, criticized the behavior shown in the video, emphasizing the importance of adhering to fishing regulations to ensure the sustainability of crab fishing. Voong highlighted the regulations around crab fishing, including the prohibition on catching female crabs due to their high reproductive rate and the stipulated minimum size for retaining Dungeness crabs.
Dungeness crabs are renowned for their delicious meat and are harvested year-round along the British Columbia coast. Voong shared his personal memories of crab fishing with his family and preparing meals with fresh crab by the water. He emphasized that obtaining a sport fishing license is necessary for anyone, including non-Canadian residents, to engage in crab fishing in British Columbia.
In response to queries about the treatment of foreign sailors under Canadian regulations, DFO mentioned that their officers have various enforcement measures at their disposal, including confiscation of items and arrests. The officers are currently evaluating the video and verifying the information presented.